JOSHUA 8


[Yehoshua 8 Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)]

1 And Yahweh said unto Joshua [Yehoshua], Fear not, neither be thou dismayed [ discouraged]: take all the people of war [kol Am HaMilchamah] with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai [yad the melech HaAi], and his people, and his city, and his land:

2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king [melech] as thou didst unto Jericho and her king [Yericho and her melech]: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle [livestock] thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto [ carry off for] yourselves: lay [Behind it set] thee an ambush for the city [Ir] behind it.

Having obtained a secure bridgehead west of Jordan, the time had come for the Israelites to mount a major offensive which would give them a secure hold upon the Promised Land. The campaign which Joshua would direct under Yahweh's guidance would bring the Israelites as far as Hebron, twenty miles west of Jordan and twenty miles south of Gilgal.

In effect, this campaign would give Israel control over the southern area of Canaan.

However, still somewhat troubled by the recent events involving Achan, Joshua needed encouragement and reassurance. 

Aware of this, Yahweh said: 'Fear not, neither be thou dismayed. . ."

Such words of warmth and comfort show that Yahweh is constantly aware of the needs of His servants. He "knoweth" their 'frame". He understands the weakness and despondency which, at times, may be experienced by men and women of faith.

Showing great tenderness, Yahweh spoke with power and authority. He lifted Joshua to heights of renewed zeal and dedication. Such can be the effect of the word of God: Those who are striving to 'grow in grace" and in "knowledge" will consistently turn to the pages of God's word for comfort and for spiritual reinvigoration.

The time had come for further action. "Take all the people of war with thee", God commanded. "Go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people,

and his land."

A large army was to march. Not merely 3,000 as had been earlier despatched to Ai. Was such a great number necessary to bring about the defeat of Ai? By no means. Yahweh can "save by many or by few" (1 Sam. 14:6).

Why, then, did God require that such an army was to accompany Joshua? There are two likely reasons: firstly, this was to be a major offensive which would doubtless engage the services of many who were willing to fight the warfare of faith; and secondly, Yahweh wished to

reassure all the nation that He was with them. With the initial defeat at Ai, "the hearts of the people" of Israel had "melted" and become "as water". Such a defeatist attitude was no longer to be manifested.

Thus God would graciously remove the anxieties which were troubling His people. Victory at Ai was now assured. "I have given into thy hand. . ." These were the same words as had been spoken concerning Jericho (6:2); but they had not previously been spoken concerning Ai.

There was to be an important difference between the defeat of Jericho and Ai. As Jericho had been the " first fruits" of victory in the land, that city had been ''devoted" to Yahweh. But not so with Ai.

'The spoil thereof. . . ye shall take. . ." God told the people. However, the Canaanites themselves were still to be regarded as "devoted" and were to be put to death (Deut. 9:5; 20:16-17).

The strategy to be employed was then alluded to: "Lay thee an ambush for the city, behind it" Joshua would be advancing from the south-east. He would therefore march so as to be able to approach from the west (v.12). The inhabitants of Ai would not anticipate a move such as this. *




3 So Joshua [Yehoshua] arose, and all the people of war [ kol Am HaMilchamah], to go up against Ai: and Joshua [Yehoshua] chose out 30 000 mighty men of valour [shloshim elef ish gibborei hachayil], and sent them away by night [out by lailah].

Chastened and sober-minded as a result of their experience with Achan, the Israelites threw off their dejection. With renewed confidence, they prepared for their next

move. They had learned from Achan's folly to place no confidence in the flesh, and to give unqualified obedience to the voice of Yahweh. The lesson had been impressed upon them that God would only uphold their cause if they proved faithful to His word. *



4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait [set an ambush] against the city [Ir], even behind the city [Ir]: go not very far from the city [Ir], but be ye all ready [ nekhonim (ready, on alert, set, prepared)]:

The proposed tactics were carefully considered until all details were clarified and understood. Always a brilliant military leader, Joshua relied upon his faith in Yahweh. At the same time, he exercised wisdom, care and intelligence in the planning and execution of his military operations.

Their instructions were to lie in ambush "behind the city" but not "very far from the city".

The element of surprise would be on the side of the Israelites. By moving such a large number of men at night, the deployment of such troops would be kept secret from the Canaanites.

Preparations for this large-scale operation would have been most thorough. In the darkness of night thirty thousand men had to be led through hills and valleys, and over rough and difficult terrain. It would have been necessary to organise a special group to act as scouts and leaders.

In effect, these key men would have had to know every inch of the ground to be covered by the massed army of fighting men. Acting with extreme care and stealth, such scouts would have spent many hours combing the area, learning the way until they could virtually "see" in the dark - thus providing safe and silent leadership for the army.

Thorough preparation, including the careful consideration of such vital matters as topography and logistics, is essential in the planning of a successful military offensive. And so it is in the warfare of faith. No one will prosper in spiritual matters unless they are willing to give the time and effort to prepare themselves for the warfare before them. Ezra provides a fine example.

He "prepared his heart to seek the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. . ." (Ezra 7:10). A progression of development is set forth in these words, resulting in God manifestation: the performance of Godly things, and the revelation of God's truth to others. But the keynote is preparation.

A wise Proverb counsels: "Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house. . ." (Prov.24:27).

A wise builder does not simply order truckloads of various materials to be dumped upon a site, and then begin haphazard construction, hoping that he has the right materials and in sufficient quantities. He carefully draws up specifications, and thoroughly checks them, well in advance of the commencement of any activity on the building site.

It is prudent to make sound preparation. A spiritual "house" must be built according to these principles - and the building of such a "house" involves preparation for the warfare of faith.

Paul posed a penetrating question to the Corinthians, at a time when they were plagued by many doubts and fears, and when, in many respects, they lacked sound and virile leadership:

"If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8). Quite so.

When the warfare is finally over, and all the redeemed have been rewarded with the gift of immortality, such an end will have been achieved because the Lamb's "wife" will have "made herself ready. . ." (Rev. 19:7) - a word which has elsewhere been rendered as "prepare" (cp. Luke 22:8, 9, etc.). *



5 And I, and all the people [Kol HaAm] that are with me, will approach unto the city [ Ir]: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first [ rishonah], that we will flee before them,

6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city [Ir]; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first [ rishonah]: therefore we will flee before them.

7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city [Ir]: for Yahweh your elohim will deliver it into your hand [ yad].

8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city [Ir], that ye shall set the city on fire [eish to the Ir]: according to the commandment [Davar] of Yahweh shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.

9 Joshua [Yehoshua] therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel [Beit-El] and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua [Yehoshua] lodged that night among the people [lailah among HaAm].

 There were three essential elements in Joshua's strategy: the advantage of surprise on the part of the Israelites, the predictable reaction of the Canaanites, and the Hand of Providence acting on the part of Israel. *



10 And Joshua [Yehoshua] rose up early in the morning [boker], and numbered the people [mustered HaAm], and went up, he and the elders of Israel [ Ziknei Yisroel], before the people to Ai [HaAm to Ai].

Whilst the thirty thousand "mighty men of valour" had hidden themselves and waited in ambush overnight, Joshua remained in the camp at Gilgal. He "rose up early in the morning" and "mustered the people" (Roth., J.B.). He did not "number" them, as the A.V. indicates.

In this regard it will be observed that the Elders of Israel worked in close harmony with their leader. *



11 And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.

The entire terrain around Ai had been very thoroughly reconnoitered. Coming from the south-east, Joshua would have to by-pass the city before he could bring his men to pitch "on the north side of Ai". There was a compelling reason for this. It led them through a valley which provided precisely the type of terrain the Israelites needed - not only to draw the men of Ai out of their city, but to ensure that they were trapped, without hope of escape, once Joshua's army attacked from both ends of the valley.

The narrative contains an important detail: "There was a valley between them and Ai. . ." And that is why the Israelites were in that place. With his two armies carefully hidden to the west - Bethel was about three miles west of Ai - Joshua "went that night into the midst of the valley". Doubtless a great deal of "nervous" noise was made, to alert the people of Ai, who had the entire night to prepare to do battle against the Israelites at dawn.*



12 And he took about 5 000 men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.

13 And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua [Yehoshua] went that night into the midst of the valley.

It appears that the larger number hidden in ambush were near to the north-western corner of the city, whilst the smaller group were placed in close proximity to the south-western wall.

This would indicate that at the appropriate time both groups were to converge on the main

western gates of the city.*


*Bro John Ullman - Joshua His Life and Times. 



14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.

So eager were the men of Ai, they did not wait for Joshua's men to approach, but went directly to fight, by the morning light. Here was abundant evidence of their self-confidence.

There was, however, nothing haphazard about the action they initiated. They went out to battle "at a time appointed" - which means that they put into motion a planned and organised attack. They had decided to join the battle when they were ready. Such was their optimism. They would seize the initiative. As they had done earlier. So they thought. The main flaw in their reasoning was that their confidence rested in flesh, and the fleshly mind - a recipe for disaster.

Sweeping out of the city, screaming their confidence to the skies, the army of Ai swiftly descended towards the Israelites, who were waiting "before the plain". Which, at first consideration, appears odd. But Joshua knew what he was doing. At the end of the valley, away from the city gate, lay a plain. In ancient times an army which felt confident of victory liked nothing better than to fight in the open spaces of a plain. In such circumstances there was ample room for manoeuvrability. No doubt the king of Ai could hardly believe his good fortune. Those foolish Israelites were even more stupid than he had thought!

But in his exuberance "he wist not" that the tables were shortly to be turned. Such is flesh when guided only by the carnal mind.

"The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. Yahweh is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. . ." (Ps. 9:15-16).

Like the ungodly in the days of Noah, the people of Ai

"knew not, until the flood came, and took them all away"

- a type of the divine judgments to come at Christ's return (cp. Mat. 24:38-39). *



16 And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua [Yehoshua], and were drawn away from the city.

With the bulk of his army making an open, undisguised approach towards the city, Joshua had told his men: "We will flee before them. . .They will come out after us. . ."

Why should the men of Ai do this? Because in Ai the people were elated. They had inflicted the first defeat upon the Israelites, and would therefore be confident in their ability to repeat their triumph. Thus the over-confidence of the men of Ai would present Joshua with the very advantage he wanted.

Joshua understood human nature. His force would draw the men of Ai out of the city, leaving it defenceless. Then, the Israelites hiding in ambush would emerge, rushing into the city and seizing it.

The people remaining in the city were so certain of victory that all able-bodied men "were called out to pursue them. . ." (Roth.).



16 And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua [Yehoshua], and were drawn away from the city.

With the bulk of his army making an open, undisguised approach towards the city, Joshua had told his men: "We will flee before them. . .They will come out after us. . ."

Why should the men of Ai do this? Because in Ai the people were elated. They had inflicted the first defeat upon the Israelites, and would therefore be confident in their ability to repeat their triumph. Thus the over-confidence of the men of Ai would present Joshua with the very advantage he wanted.

Joshua understood human nature. His force would draw the men of Ai out of the city, leaving it defenceless. Then, the Israelites hiding in ambush would emerge, rushing into the city and seizing it.

The people remaining in the city were so certain of victory that all able-bodied men "were called out to pursue them. . ." (Roth.).


18 And Yahweh said unto Joshua [Yehoshua], Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua [Yehoshua] stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.

Yahweh spoke to Joshua: "Stretch out the javelin that is in thy hand, toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. . ." (cp. Roth.,J.B.).

And Joshua did so. This was the signal to the Israelites hidden in ambush. Quickly, they poured out of their hiding-places. For the signal to be seen so promptly by the hidden Israelites, Joshua must have ascended high ground. In effect he was ''placarded" before his people (cp. Gal. 3:1, Moff.).

After Christ had been "lifted up" a "spear" was thrust into his side, as a result of which "there came out blood and water" - the blood of the sacrifice which signalled the Lord's victory over sin (John 3:14; 19:34). The symbolic similarities discernible in these two incidents are most apparent.

Bro John Ullman - Joshua His Life and Times.



20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

The men of Israel arose from their ambush and "entered into the city and took it. . ."

Their faith was rewarded. Yahweh gave them the victory. In strict accordance with Joshua's instructions they "set the city on fire".

It all happened very quickly. The attention of the men of Ai was focussed entirely upon Joshua's fleeing army. But suddenly their headlong rush down the valley was thrown into confusion. Some had seen smoke, where no smoke of any consequence ought to have been seen.

"Fire!" they screamed. "The city! It is burning!" Aghast, the Canaanites stopped and turned. Their shocked bewilderment turned into cold realisation. This was the decisive moment of the battle. Joshua's trump card was now played - by the Canaanites. For in this moment of

awareness they became panic-stricked and leaderless.

What were they to do? Stunned and confused, they would not have known what to do. Some would have set off back towards the city. Still others would have seen the hopelessness of their situation, and looked around wildly for an avenue of escape.

In a moment, the initiative passed from the Canaanites to the army of Israel - although at no time had Yahweh and Joshua not been in complete control of the development of events.

Of the ungodly, it has been written:

"Surely thou (God) didst set them in slippery places: thou easiest them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. . ." (Ps. 73:18-19).

The Israelites who had waited in ambush had done their work thoroughly and quickly. "The smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. . ." - a remarkable type of the coming destruction of the most ancient citadel of gentilism: the Roman Catholic church system.

For, "she shall be utterly burned with fire" and "the smoke of her burning" will ascend heavenward, as from a sacrifice (Rev. 18:8, 18).

At this moment of catastrophe for the Canaanites, flesh was suddenly revealed in its true state: "They had no power. . . " Or, "There was in them no strength. . ." (Roth.). The flesh "confers no benefit whatever" because in the flesh there is "no good thing" (John 6:63,

Wey; Rom. 7:18, A.V.).



22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

Awaiting the decisive moment, the army under Joshua's leadership saw the men of Ai falter and fall into disarray. The Israelites turned and swiftly ran back towards the Canaanites.

In a state of dazed disbelief, the army of Ai suddenly found the Israelites were upon them.

This was only the beginning of the end for the Canaanites. Their initial work within the city accomplished, the other Israelites now poured out of the city and down to do battle with the rearguard of the Canaanites.

The army of Ai, together with the men of Bethel who had joined them, were trapped.

As though held fast in the grip of some unseen force, the Canaanites could not manoeuvre.

They were caught. And they died.

In accordance with the specific instructions given in Deut. 7:2, the Israelites - loyal and obedient soldiers of Yahweh - ''let none of them remain or escape. . .".

Throughout the ages Yahweh's servants have not always found it easy to follow His "orders" in the warfare of faith. Yet, no matter how difficult, or how great the sacrifice,God's saints must always remember that they do not have greater wisdom than the "Captain of their salvation" (Heb. 2:10). As with the army of Israel in their unswerving loyalty and obedience to Joshua, spiritual warriors in this present evil age must carefully and lovingly heed the commands of their Leader, if they wish to ultimately gain the victory over sin.



29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua [Yehoshua] commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.

Defeat of the Canaanites


Joshua had been raised up before his nation, as an "ensign" -after the manner of Moses, at Rephidim (Ex. 17:11-16). In this respect, both men typified Christ (cp. Ex. 17:15, where the word "nissi" is identical to the word which has been rendered "ensign" in such passages as Isa. 5:26; 11:10, 12; 18:3, etc.

It is significant that this same word occurs twice in Num. 21:8-9, where it is recorded that

Moses made "a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole. . .". Cp. John 3:14.

Thus this word is used of Christ to represent him as the one great sacrifice to atone for sins, and also to describe him as being lifted up at the end of gentile times, as the mighty Warrior-King).

With the sparing only of the cattle and spoil, the complete destruction of Ai represents a total repudiation of flesh. The reader may benefit from a further consideration of Deut. 9:5-6 and 7:1-6. The Canaanites manifested all that the flesh can present, in opposition to the word and will of God. Had the main military power of the Canaanites not been destroyed, the Israelites would soon have fallen prey to the superior sovereignty and influence of the gentiles, and would then have become obliterated as a separate people.

The wars against the Canaanites resulted in the preservation of the "seed" of Israel - and

despite the ultimate spiritual failure of the Jewish nation, eventually blessings will come upon all mankind, resulting in no small measure from the establishment of the State of Israel under the leadership of Joshua.

It is necessary also, when studying the wars of the Israelites against the Canaanites, to constantly bear in mind the example of Rahab: she stands as a permanent reminder that the Canaanites could have turned unto Yahweh as that remarkable woman had done.

The king of Ai was taken captive. He typifies the "king of ruin" - which is sin (cp. Rom. 6:12, 16). It was necessary for him to be slain, and brought to "ruin". Thus, Joshua "hanged" him on a "tree". The type is clear: the flesh must be crucified (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:24).

However, as soon as "the sun was down" the body was removed from the tree. Joshua was strictly following the requirements of the law (see Deut. 21:23).

Bro John Ullman - Joshua His Life and Times.